Auto app quality

When designing support for Android Auto in your app, avoid driver distraction above all else.
Apps that work with the Auto user interface should minimize distractions faced by the driver
through best practices, such as voice commands and very simple visual design.

Great auto experiences are predictive and predictable. Apps that support Android Auto
should show timely information to the driver only when it's relevant, and use
simple, predictable patterns for common tasks.

It's important that you test your auto app for the criteria listed on this page before
submitting to Google Play for review. There are two ways to test your app for a car
screen:

Use the Android Auto Desktop Head Unit (DHU) to validate each checklist item. The
DHU allows you to sideload your app for testing. For more information on the DHU, see
Testing apps for car screen.

Test your app in a vehicle by uploading it to the closed or open testing tracks on Google Play.
For more information, see Alpha and Beta Testing.

Important: Apps must meet the criteria listed in this page to qualify as an
Android Auto app on Google Play. Apps will not work on Auto in vehicles unless they are installed
from the Play Store.

In addition to these guidelines, you should also read the Android Auto UX guidelines for
audio apps
and
messaging apps if those apply to you.

Core app quality

In addition to the Auto-specific criteria listed below, Auto apps should meet all relevant core app
quality criteria for the Android platform, as detailed in
core app quality. Test
your app against those criteria to ensure that it meets Android standards for navigation and
design. Then test your app against all Auto-specific criteria, remembering that, when running on a
device connected to Android Auto, your app must meet the requirements listed on this page.

Visual design and user interaction

These criteria ensure that your app follows critical design and interaction patterns
to offer a consistent, intuitive, and enjoyable user experience on Android Auto. Many elements,
such as the navigation drawer, card backgrounds, fonts and icon colors, are set and rendered by
the system. Your app-specific design elements must meet the following criteria when running
on a device connected to Android Auto.

Type

Test

Description

Driver Attention

AU-MV

The app does not display animated elements on the Auto screen such as animated graphics,
video, or progress bars.

AU-VA

The app does not display text-based advertising other than the advertiser's name or the
product name.

AU-IM

App elements do not display any images on the Auto screen. Exceptions include: apps may display
a single static image for
content context in the background of the consumption screen, such as album art or the
advertiser's
corporate logo. Apps may also display icons in the content navigation drawer.

AU-DS

The app does not include games or other features outside the app types intended for Auto.
(Learn How)

AU-VI

While the app is interacting with the car screen, the app does not activate the phone screen to
present any form of visual information (notifications, toasts, video, images, advertising,
or similar). Similarly, while the app is running Android Auto UI on the phone screen, the app
does not present any visual information on the phone screen that is unrelated to Android Auto.

Layout

AU-SC

The app does not display automatically scrolling text.

Visual Contrast

AU-DM

The app supports day mode, which renders dark text and controls on a light background.
(Learn How)

The app uses short-form messaging app design patterns. Traditional long-form messaging apps, such
as apps for email, are not permitted.

AU-MP

The app implements a peer-to-peer messaging service and not notification services such as
those for weather, stocks, and sport scores.

Frequently asked questions

After submitting my app, how will I find out if my app does not meet all
the requirements for Android Auto?

If your app does not meet the usability requirements described on this page, the Play Store team
will contact you through the email address specified in the Google Play Console account associated with
the app.

My app targets more than just Android Auto. If my app does not meet the Auto
requirements, will my new or updated app still appear on Google Play for other devices?

No. When Google begins the approval process, your Auto app will undergo a driver safety
review, and will not be
available for distribution until the app is approved. Because this is the same APK as
for other devices, your Play Store updates for those devices will not be available until the
Auto app approval process is complete.

Important: Due to this restriction, you should not use your production APK
for Auto support prototyping.